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Case Study 1 – Trouble ball to left field
Game Situation: Nobody on base
Action on the field: Fly ball near the left-field line
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball hit in your area.
React by moving into position to see the play; let your
partner know what you're doing; make the call on the
batted ball. As BU, read the ball hit to UIC's area. Check to
see that he gets the same read; pivot and observe B1;
prepare to take B1 all the way to third base.
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Case Study 2 – Trouble ball to right field
Game Situation: Nobody on Base
Action on the field: Fly ball near the right-field line
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball hit to BU´s area.
React by moving into the infield grass, favoring the firstbase side of the mound; confirm that your partner gets the
same read; observe B1 at first and prepare take him all the
way to third base (possibly home). As BU, read the ball hit
to your area. React by moving to the outfield; let your
partner know what you're doing; make the call on the
batted ball; if a fair ball is not caught, attempt to return (in
foul territory) to cover a play at the plate.
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Case Study 3 – Fly ball to right field
Game Situation: Nobody on base
Action on the field: Routine fly ball to right field
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball hit to BU´s area.
React by moving into the infield grass, favoring the firstbase side of the mound; confirm that your partner gets the
same read; observe B1 at first and prepare take him all the
way to third base (possibly home). As BU, read the ball hit
to your area. React by moving to the outfield; let your
partner know what you're doing; make the call on the
batted ball; if a fair ball is not caught, attempt to return (in
foul territory) to cover a play at the plate.
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Case Study 4 – Ground ball to left side
Game Situation: Nobody on base
Action on the field: Ground ball fielded by F1, F5 or F6
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball, clear the catcher;
straddle the third-base line if fair / foul is a factor; move up
the first-base line (try to reach the 45-foot line); come to a
standing set; watch for any unusual play; assist BU if he asks
for help. As BU, read the ball, move to fair ground, come to a
standing set; read the throw and adjust if the throw is off
line; observe the play; ask UIC for help (if you need it) before
making a call.
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Case Study 7 – Clean hit to the outfield
Game Situation: Nobody on base
Action on the field: Base hit
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball. React by moving
into fair territory in front of home plate; let your partner
know what you're doing; observe the play on the batted
ball. As BU, read the ball. Check to see that your partner
gets the same read; pivot and observe B1; prepare to take B1
all the way to third base.
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Case Study 8 – First-base pickoff
Game Situation: Runner on first
Action on the field: Pitcher or catcher attempts pickoff
When the play begins: As UIC, step back from the catcher
and observe the action. As BU, react aggressively as you
watch the pitcher or catcher carefully. As the throw begins,
move directly toward home plate at least one (ideally two)
steps to open your angle, turn to the play, set and make the
call.
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Case Study 9 – Second-base steal
Game Situation: Runner on first
Action on the field: R1 steals
When the play begins: As UIC, remain in your set position
to rule on the pitch, then step back from the catcher and
observe the action. Be alert for interference by B1. As BU,
remain in your set position until the pitch clears the batter,
then react aggressively. As the throw begins, „open the
gate“ and watch the catcher´s release over your left
shoulder; let the ball turn your head to the play; step toward
the cutout, set and make the call.
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Case Study 12 – Ground ball, possible double play
Game Situation: Runner on first
Action on the field: Ground ball fielded by F1, F4, F5 or F6
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball, clear the catcher;
straddle the third-base line if fair / foul is a factor. Watch any
play closely; assist BU if he asks for help. As BU, read the ball
and determine whether the defense will attempt a double
play. If so, employ the double-play drift. If the defense plays
for one out or if the double play breaks down, move toward
that cutout and focus on that play.
Variations: If you and your partner are innovators, consider
letting BU focus entirely on the front end of the double play
- he´ll have a much better look at the possible interference
by R1. Have UIC move toward the first-base side of the
mound to rule on the secondary play at first base – he´ll
have a very good look at the play.
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Case Study 15 – Clean hit to the outfield
Game Situation: Runner on first
Action on the field: Base hit
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball. React by moving
toward third in foul territory; let your partner know what
you're doing; observe the play on the batted ball. As BU,
read the ball. Check to see that your partner gets the same
read; see R1 touch second, B1 first; prepare to cover a play at
second or any play on B1 on the bases.
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Case Study 16 – Double steal
Game Situation: Runners on first and second
Action on the field: Both runners steal
When the play begins: As UIC, remain in your set position
to rule on the pitch, then step back from the catcher and
observe the action. Be alert for interference by B1. As BU,
glance over your right shoulder at R2 as F1 delivers. Remain
in your set position until the pitch clears the batter, then
react aggressively. Anticipate a play at third base, but do not
commit until you see the catcher´s release – the throw
could go to second. Move toward the play (stride toward
the midpoint of the third-base line for a play at third; move
back and „open the gate“ for a play at second), watch the
catcher´s release, let the ball turn you to the play, step
toward the play, set and make the call.
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Case Study 19 – Infield fly
Game Situation: Runners on first and second, fewer than
two outs
Action on the field: Fly ball hit in the infield
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball hit in your area.
React by staying near home plate; move into position to see
the play; let your partner know what you're doing; make
the call on the batted ball. As BU, read the ball hit to UIC’s
area; check to see that he gets the same read. Move to avoid
hindering any fielder; observe R2, R1, B1 and the play; cover
all plays on the bases.
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Case Study 28 – Clean hit to the outfield
Game Situation: Bases loaded
Action on the field: Base hit
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball. Remain near
home plate to cover a play there; let your partner know
what you're doing; observe the play on the batted ball, R3
touching home and R2 third. As BU, read the ball. Check to
see that your partner gets the same read; see R1 touch
second, B1 first; prepare to cover any play on the bases.
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Case Study 29 – Pickoff play
Game Situation: Runners on first and third
Action on the field: Pitcher or catcher attempts pickoff
When the play begins: As UIC, step back from the catcher
and observe the action. As BU, react cautiously on a move to
third, aggressively on a move to first as you watch the
pitcher or catcher carefully. As the play begins, move
directly toward home plate at least one (ideally two) steps to
open your angle; as the throw is made turn to the play, set
and make the call.
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Case Study 33 – Ground ball, possible double play
Game Situation: Runners on first and third
Action on the field: Ground ball fielded in the infield
When the ball is hit: As UIC, read the ball, clear the catcher;
straddle the foul line extended if fair / foul is a factor. Watch
any play closely; assist BU if he asks for help. As BU, read the
ball and determine whether the defense will attempt a
double play. If so, employ the double-play drift. If the
defense plays for one out or if the double play breaks down,
move toward that cutout and focus on that play.
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Case Study 36 – Second base pickoff
Game Situation: Runner on second
Action on the field: Pitcher or catcher attempts pickoff
When the play begins: As UIC, step back from the catcher
and observe the action. As BU, hold your set position as you
watch the pitcher or catcher carefully. As the throwing
motion begins, move directly toward the cutout at least two
steps, turn to the play, set and make the call.
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Case Study 37 – Third base steal
Game Situation: Runner on second
Action on the field: R2 steals
When the play begins: As UIC, remain in your set position
to rule on the pitch, then step back from the catcher and
observe the action. Be alert for interference by B1. As BU,
glance over your right shoulder at R2 as F1 delivers. Remain
in your set position until the pitch clears the batter, then
react aggressively. Move toward the midpoint of the thirdbase line, watch the catcher´s release, let the ball turn you to
the play, step toward the third-base cutout, set and make
the call.
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Case Study 53 – BU rundown between first and second
Game Situation: Single runner near first base
Action on the field: Rundown begins, BU has initial coverage
When the rundown begins: As UIC, unless you are near
third you will provide supporting coverage on the first-base
side. Move to the area, wait for the play to move away from
you, then step to the cutout and tell BU you are in position.
As BU, you´ll be at position B (from the pitch) or completing
a pivot; you´ll have primary coverage. Turn and face the
ball, pause and read the situation; flow with the play until
UIC arrives.
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Case Study 54 – UIC rundown between first and second
Game Situation: No runners on base
Action on the field: B1 singles to right, rundown develops,
UIC has initial coverage
When rundown begins: As UIC, you will be in the
infield grass on or behind the first-base side of the mound;
you´ll have primary coverage. Turn and face the ball, pause
and read the situation; flow with the play until BU arrives.
As BU, you´ll be on the outfield grass; you will provide
supporting coverage on the first-base side. Move to the area,
wait for the play to move away from you, then step to the
cutout and tell UIC you are in position.
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Case Study 55 – BU rundown between second and third
Game Situation: Single runner (R2) near second base
Action on the field: Rundown begins, BU has initial coverage
When the rundown begins: As UIC, you will provide
supporting coverage on the third-base side. Move to the
area, wait for the play to move away from you, then step to
the cutout and tell BU you are in position. As BU, you´ll be
somewhere on the infield grass behind the mound; you´ll
have primary coverage. Turn and face the ball, pause and
read the situation; flow with the play until UIC arrives.
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Case Study 56 –Rundown between third and home
Game Situation: Single runner (R3) near third base
Action on the field: Rundown
When the rundown begins: Because the rundown is
between third and home, the umpires will divide
responsibility equally at the midpoint of the baseline. That
requires careful communication before a call any time the
runner is near the middle of the baseline. As UIC, move to
foul ground and take responsibility for the home plate side
of the play; make all calls when the runner is nearer you
than BU. As BU, remain on the infield grass and take
responsibility for the third-base side of the play; make all
calls when the runner is nearer you than UIC.
Baseball Umpires´ Guidebook Volume II